NHL News

Bruins' Thomas quiets Caps in DC return (AP)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russia, collides with Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas (30) after Thomas deflected his point-blank shot during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Washington, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012. The Bruins defeated the Capitals 4-1.

Tim Thomas' return to the nation's capital was less political and more successful. Playing about 10 blocks from the White House -- a place he famously avoided two weeks ago -- Thomas carried a shutout deep into the third period Sunday as the Boston Bruins snapped a two-game losing streak with a 4-1 win over the Washington Capitals.



Devils top Pens for fourth straight win (AP)

NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 05: Brooks Orpik #44 of the Pittsburgh Penguins knocks Andy Greene #6 of the New Jersey Devils into the boards at Prudential Center on February 5, 2012 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX ***

While Ilya Kovachuk refuses to take credit for the New Jersey Devils' surge since the All-Star break, his teammates can see that the forward has elevated his game. Kovalchuk had a goal and two assists, and the Devils extended their winning streak to four games with a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday.



Rangers extend dominance of Flyers, 5-2 (AP)

Philadelphia Flyers right wing Wayne Simmonds (17) fights with New York Rangers defenseman Stu Bickel (41) in the first period of an NHL hockey game at Madison Square Garden in New York, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012.

On an afternoon when another New York team was on the minds of many fans at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers did their best to emulate the Giants by physically wearing down Philadelphia Flyers. Artem Anisimov broke a 17-game pointless streak and Henrik Lundqvist made 21 saves to stymie the Flyers as the Rangers beat Philadelphia 5-2 in a fight-filled contest which concluded three hours before

Price earns third shutout, Habs top Jets (AP)

MONTREAL, CANADA - FEBRUARY 5: Carey Price #31 of the Montreal Canadiens lays down to stop the puck in front of Antti Miettinen #20 of the Winnipeg Jets during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on February 5, 2012 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Jets 3-0. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

Carey Price drew cheers for his stellar play while Montreal Canadiens fans mocked Scott Gomez's dubious anniversary. Price made 23 saves for his third shutout of the season, Tomas Plekanec had a goal and an assist and Montreal ended a three-game losing streak with a 3-0 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday.



Miller sets Sabres record with 235th win (AP)

UNIONDALE, NY - FEBRUARY 04: Travis Hamonic #3 of the New York Islanders is led off the ice after getting hit with a puck in the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on February 4, 2012 in Uniondale, New York. The Sabres defeated the Islanders 4-3 in the shootout. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Ryan Miller needed some heroics from his teammates -- and some of his own -- to become the Buffalo Sabres' all-time wins leader. Brad Boyes and Jason Pominville scored shootout goals, and Buffalo rallied from an early 3-1 deficit to beat the New York Islanders 4-3 on Saturday night. The win gave Miller 235 career victories, breaking a tie with six-time Vezina Trophy winner Dominik Hasek for the

Gagner has 3 more points, Oilers win SO (AP)

Detroit Red Wings goalie Joey MacDonald makes a save against the Edmonton Oilers ' Taylor Hall , not shown, during third period NHL hockey game action in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012.

Sam Gagner showed the top team in the NHL that his breakout game was no fluke. Gagner had two goals and an assist, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored the shootout winner as the Edmonton Oilers beat the league-leading Detroit Red Wings 5-4 on Saturday night. Gagner followed up on his eight-point game in Edmonton's 8-4 win over Chicago.



Reimer stops 49 in second straight SHO (AP)

OTTAWA, CANADA - FEBRUARY 4: Mike Brown #18 of the Toronto Maple Leafs shoots the puck past Zack Smith #15 of the Ottawa Senators during an NHL game at Scotiabank Place on February 4, 2012 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

James Reimer couldn't stop smiling -- and who could blame him? After watching Jonas Gustavsson start 11 of 12 games in goal for Toronto in January, Reimer made 49 saves for his second straight shutout as the Maple Leafs beat the Ottawa Senators 5-0 on Saturday night. The 23-year-old acknowledged he hadn't been feeling overly confident about his game following his return from a head injury,

Tampa's St. Louis scores 3 in 900th game (AP)

Martin St. Louis had a memorable milestone game. St. Louis scored three times in his 900th NHL game, Steven Stamkos added his league-leading 34th goal and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Florida Panthers 6-3 on Saturday night. "Weird things happen sometimes in situations like that," St. Louis said.

Rinne beats Blues for 11th straight win (AP)

Pekka Rinne's stellar play in January is spilling over into February. Rinne made 42 saves, and Martin Erat had a goal and two assists to lead the Nashville Predators to a 3-1 win over the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night. The Predators have won six of seven, while the Blues have dropped three of four.

Korpikoski scores 2, Coyotes beat Sharks (AP)

Phoenix Coyotes ' goalie Mike Smith (41) keeps an eye on the puck as San Jose Sharks ' Ryane Clowe vies for the puck during the third period of their NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb, 4, 2012 in Glendale, Ariz.

This was a game the Phoenix Coyotes needed to win. In 12th place in the Western Conference and struggling for a playoff spot, the Coyotes got two goals from Lauri Korpikoski and beat the San Jose Sharks 5-3 Saturday night. With one of the worst home records in the league, Phoenix picked up only its 11th win at home this season -- good for 26 points.